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Acute halfbeak (Hyporhamphus acutus) — Hemiramphidae

Acute halfbeak

Hyporhamphus acutus
Family: Hemiramphidae

The Acute halfbeak (Hyporhamphus acutus) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiramphidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Pacific halfbeak is a halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) from the Pacific. The species has a slender, silvery body with a strongly elongate, beak-like lower jaw and a short upper jaw. It forms schools at the surface of lagoon and seaward reefs. At the surface it snaps small floating food: algae, seagrass fragments, small zooplankton and small invertebrates. It is a prey fish for larger predators. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Acute halfbeak?

The Acute halfbeak has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Acute halfbeak live?

The Acute halfbeak lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Acute halfbeak get?

The Acute halfbeak grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Acute halfbeak dangerous to humans?

No, the Acute halfbeak is harmless to humans.

Is the Acute halfbeak edible?

Yes, the Acute halfbeak is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische halfbek sourced
English name
Acute halfbeak verified
Scientific name
Hyporhamphus acutus
Family
Hemiramphidae
Other names
Acute halfbeak; Pacific halfbeak verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hyporhamphus

More from the family Hemiramphidae

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